Now that the plan has received a red light in court, a new plan details staffing cuts across the board, saving the city almost $26 million.

A memo from City Manager Milton Dohoney to some city workers said the wheels are rolling on hundreds of layoffs.

More than $7 million would be saved by cutting the fire recruit class set to graduate Friday, plus an additional 80 firefighters.

"When we talk about 350 layoffs, that's a number, but when you're here at an event like this, you look into the eyes of the people that this could affect, and it really makes you ponder what our priorities are," said Mayor Mark Mallory, who attended the graduation ceremony.

The recruits were asked not to comment on the budget situation, but union officials said cutting more jobs could be disastrous.

“We brownout five companies a day,” said Matt Alter, president of the Cincinnati Fire Fighters Union Local 48. “Measures have been put into place to keep it at five. If those measures are pulled, in addition to layoffs, you could potentially see 40-50 percent of your fire departments closed.”

Eliminating a police recruit class and 189 additional police officers would save $10 million more. The city would save nearly another $1 million by closing six pools and three community centers.

“We think there’s going to be an immediate impact, not only in the Police Department, but also projected in the Fire Department and public services, parks and recreations. I mean, there will be a widespread effect on services,” said Peter Mclinden, regional director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 8.

Alter said the Fire Fighters Union has heard this in years past and the city council was able to come together when they realized public safety must be a priority.

City council member Laure Quinlivan said the parking deal was the latest effort to avoid cutting employees.

“I don’t think there’s any tricks left,” she said. “I believe that this is going to happen.”

If the petition to put the parking deal on the November ballot fails, the city’s leasing plan could move forward. However, petitioners said they were well on their way to the 8,522 signatures needed by Friday.